A cancer sufferer accused Brent Council of putting his health at risk, after it gave permission for a loft conversion to be built above his ground floor flat.

A cancer sufferer accused Brent Council of putting his health at risk, after it gave permission for a loft conversion to be built above his ground floor flat.

Rocky Fernandez, 45, of Hazel Road, Kensal Green, claims his Brent Housing Partnership-owned home will be turned into a mini building site when workmen move in, and seriously delay his recovery from the life-threatening disease.

The resident, who has bilateral renal cancer, unsuccessfully opposed the application - made by an Irish property developer - at a town hall planning meeting last Wednesday, and is now asking to be rehoused to escape the upheaval.

He said: "The application met all the planning criteria and was accepted, but I feel like I have been kicked to one side.

"The council says that planning has nothing to do with housing, but it is all under one roof. The local authority is my landlord and has a duty to protect tenants from harassment and anything that would cause them harm - particularly anything which has a detrimental affect on their health."

In March this year, Mr Fernandez underwent surgery to have his right kidney removed, and is hoping to have a second operation in the coming weeks to remove the tumor in his remaining kidney.

He added: "The planning committee said it sympathised with me but could do nothing about it.

"It is disgraceful. They should do the decent thing and think about if it was a member of their family in my position.

"I have a right to a private and peaceful life and the level of interference will be detrimental to my recovery, and will in fact exacerbate my condition and is likely to hospitalise me further."

Mr Fernandez presented the planning committee with a letter from his doctor stating that the building work could effect his rate of recovery and exacerbate his asthma.

He has now made a formal application to be rehoused before the work begins.

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South, has been supporting the resident and has written to the planning committee.

A spokeswoman for Brent Council said Mr Fernandez's application to be rehoused was being processed and would be assessed against the local authority's rehousing policies.

She added: "The planning committee has a duty to determine any application put before it on planning grounds.

"The application for a loft coversion at the property in Hazel Road complied with our planning guidance." [25a0] What do you think? Have your say at www.harrowobserver.co.uk

Cancer victim Rocky Fernadez protests outside Brent town hall - claiming the council has allowed his home to be turned into a mini building site. Picture by Lucy Baker H10366